Relaxation chamber

ABSTRACT

There is disclosed a relaxation chamber including a room in which there is a mass of very light, very white, small spheroidal particles, typically composed of expanded polystyrene such as is used in making Styrofoam. The occupants of the room can lie down, sit or move in the mass. The movement gives a sensation similar to that of moving in a swimming pool. The room typically has translucent walls and/or ceiling and colored lights, whose colors may change, are projected on the particles producing a pleasing color effect. The mass may be fluidized by blowing air through it from the base of the room.

United States Patent Kashar Feb. 22, 1972 [54] RELAXATION CHAMBER [72]Inventor: Gail Carleton Kashar, 5737 Howe St.,

Pittsburgh, Pa. 15232 [22] Filed: Mar. 18, 1969 211 Appl. No.2 808,218

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 17,534 1887 Great Britain 128/601,036,186 7/1966 Great Britain ..272/59 OTHER PUBLICATIONS PrimaryExaminerAnton O. Oechsle Assistant ExaminerAmold W. KramerAttorney-Hymen Diamond [57] ABSTRACT There is disclosed a relaxationchamber including a room in which there is a mass of very light, verywhite, small spheroidal particles, typically composed of expandedpolystyrene such as is used in making Styrofoam. The occupants of theroom can lie down, sit or move in the mass. The movement gives asensation similar to that of moving in a swimming pool. The roomtypically has translucent walls and/or ceiling and colored lights, whosecolors may change, are projected on the particles producing a pleasingcolor effect. The mass may be fluidized by blowing air through it fromthe base of the room.

2 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures PATENTEUFEBZZ I972 3.643 941 sum 2 or 2 FIGAFIG.8

RELAXATION CHAMBER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates tothe art of entertaining or inducing a state of well-being or relaxationin people and has particular relationship to the achievement of suchwell-being or relaxation by providing for the people a relaxingenvironment and atmosphere.

It is an object of this invention to provide such apparatus, andspecifically to provide a relaxation chamber.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with this invention a relaxationchamber is provided in which the subject is relaxed by lying, sitting ormoving in a mass of very light particles. Typical of such particles arethe expanded polystyrene spheroidal particles used in making styrofoam.These particles are very light having a density of about 1 pound percubic foot, that is, about one sixtysecond the density of water. Theparticles also have a low coefficient of friction, so that movement inthe particles is as easy or easier than movement in water, and are white(but may be colored) and highly light reflecting. The relaxation effeetis increased by reflecting white or colored light, whose colors maychange, from the particles. Music may'be added and the particles may befluidized.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING For a better understanding of thisinvention, both as to its organization and as to its method ofoperation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof,reference is made to the following description, taken in connection withthe accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a view in isometric of a chamber in accordance with thisinvention;

FIG. 2 is a section taken along line [1-11 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 3 is an elevational view partially in section of the chamber shownin FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a view in elevation of another embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a view in elevation of an entrance for the chamber other thanthat included in the embodiments of FIGS. 1 through 5, showing theentrance closed;

' FIG. 7 is a view in elevation showing the entrance open to admit asubject;

FIG. 8 is a view in isometric of a further embodiment of this invention;and

FIG. 9 is a plan view of the chamber shown in FIG. 8.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS The apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 through 3 is arelaxation chamber 11 of generally rectangular or square form. Thechamber 11 has a base 12 from which double walls 13 and 15 extend. Theouter wall 15 is closed by a top 17 on which there is sound ormusic-producing equipment 18. The inner wall 13 smoothly merges into atop 20.

The outer wall 15 is opaque and the inner wall 13 is translucent.Typically the inner wall 13 may be composed of a white translucentplastic. Loudspeakers 22 connected to the outlet of equipment 18 may bemounted on the top 20 so as to project the sound into the chamber 11.

Within the inner enclosure 14 formed by wall 13 there is a mass 24 ofsmall, very white, very light, spheroidal pellets or particles extendingto a convenient height above the base 12. Typically the pellets shouldbe between about one-eighth inch and one-half inch in diameter. Betweenthe inner walls 13 and outer walls 15, typically, colored lighting units26, whose colors may change periodically, are mounted. The light emittedby the units 26 impinges on the particles 24 and produce a pleasing andrelaxing effect.

The wall 13 has openings 19 of generally ellipsoidal or circular form.Each opening 19 is closed by an iris of leaves or strips 31 of aflexible material such as rub er. The openings 19 terminate above ornear the top of the mass 24. The walls 15 have openings 30 displacedhorizontally from the openings 19. A person desiring to use theapparatus enters the chamber 11 through openings 30, then presses backthe strips 31 and enters enclosure 14 through the opening 19. The strips31 spring back into place after the entrance. On entrance of the personsubstantially no particles are ejected from the chamber. Subjects in theenclosure 14 relax in the particles lying, kneeling, sitting or moving.The chamber 1 1 may be a theater or a night club or the like. A platformabove the level of the bottom of the openings may be associated with theenclosure 14. The enclosure may, in this case, be entered from a ramp orsteps from the platform connected to the opening 19.

A typical chamber 11 may be square and may have an outer side of about10 to 12 feet in length and an inner side of 6 to 8 feet, and a heightof about 12 feet. The particle mass 24 may have a height of 2 feet to 28inches above the base 12.

The apparatus shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 is a generally semispheroidalhousing or chamber 41 having a cylindrical base 42. The chamber 41 maybe composed of a translucent plastic material or may be of a specularlyreflecting material. For the latter purpose the inside of chamber 41 maybe lined with mirrors. The chamber contains a mass of pellets similar tothe chamber of FIGS. 1 through 3. A lighting unit 43 is suspended fromthe top of the chamber projecting light which may be colored on thepellets. The chamber 41 is provided with openings 45 similar to those ofthe embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 through 3.

In FIG. 6 another closure 51 for the openings 52 in the chamber 54 isshown. This closure 51 includes a plurality of flexible rods 53 whichextend from the base 55 of the chamber 54 and are threaded through asupporting bar 57 and extend above the bar 57 across the opening 52inthe chamber 54. Expanded polystyrene spheroids or beads 59 are stackedon the rods 53. To enter the chamber 54 the rods above the bar 57 areseparated as shown in FIG. 7 permitting access to the opening 52.

In FIGS. 8 and 9 a generally rectangular chamber 61 is shown. Thechamber has a bay front 63 with openings 65 and planar side andbackwalls 67 and 69. The top 71 of the chamber 61 is translucent so thatit admits daylight. The walls 67 and 69 are of a white opaque material.

While preferred embodiments of this invention have been disclosedherein, many modifications thereof are feasible. This invention is notto be restricted except insofar as is necessitated by the spirit of theprior art.

I claim as my invention:

1. A relaxation chamber having walls and a base and having deposited onsaid base a mass of pellets of density substantially lower than that ofwater, permitting substantially free movement of a person within saidchamber through said pellets, said chamber having a translucent top andincluding means for projecting light on said pellets through said top.

2. A relaxation chamber having translucent walls and a base and havingdeposited on said base a mass of pellets of density substantially lowerthan that of water, permitting substantially free movement of a personwithin said chamber through said pellets, said chamber including meansfor projecting light on said pellets through said walls.

1. A relaxation chambeR having walls and a base and having deposited onsaid base a mass of pellets of density substantially lower than that ofwater, permitting substantially free movement of a person within saidchamber through said pellets, said chamber having a translucent top andincluding means for projecting light on said pellets through said top.2. A relaxation chamber having translucent walls and a base and havingdeposited on said base a mass of pellets of density substantially lowerthan that of water, permitting substantially free movement of a personwithin said chamber through said pellets, said chamber including meansfor projecting light on said pellets through said walls.